Obituary of Frances Brown

Frances Gilliam Brown was born on May 4, 1944 in Cumberland County, Virginia to the late James Arthur and Betty Scruggs Gilliam. She departed this life on July 25, 2017 at NMS Healthcare in Annapolis, Maryland. At an early age, she gave her life to Christ and was baptized at Sharon Baptist Church. In her later years, she also became a member of the Piedmont Church of Christ while still maintaining her fellowship at Sharon Baptist Church. Frances graduated from Luther P. Jackson high school in 1962. She continued her education at Norfolk State College (now Norfolk State University), where she received her B. S. of Physical Education degree in 1968. After graduation, she was employed as a physical education teacher with the Washington, D.C. public school system. In 1968, she wed Charles H. Brown, Sr. and to this union two children were born, Kesha and Charles, Jr. In 1969, she was in an automobile accident that left her paralyzed. Against all odds, she was able to live well beyond the doctor's expectation of five years. Although she was wheelchair-bound, she was able to raise her children and see them successfully graduate from college. Her favorite saying to them each morning before going off to school was, "be good to yourself and kind to others." She also re-entered the workforce as a supervisor at the Sheltered Workshop (now STEPS). Some of her favorite activities were traveling - especially cruising, singing, going to the movies, getting her hair done, and entertaining family and friends in the comfort of her home. All in all, Frances lived a full, wonderful, and inspiring life. Frances was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles H. Brown, Sr.; sisters, Blanche Gilliam, Mary Gilliam Jennings, Fannie Gilliam Morton, Isabell Gilliam Dean, and Shirley Powell Coleman; brother, Arthur Garfield Gilliam; and her devoted mother-in-law, Alberta R. White. She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving and devoted daughter and son, Kesha Brown and Charles (Chucky) H. Brown, Jr. (Adrienne); sisters, Katie Gilliam Mitchell and Ruth Gilliam Thomas (Andrew); sisters-in-law, Frances Izetta Smith and Margaret Yvonne Brown; brothers-in-law, Stacy Morton, Sr., Samuel R. Brown, and Walter D. Randolph; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.